CBD For Coronavirus?
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow, many people are waiting for treatments that might help with this potentially deadly disease. Researchers have been exploring so many different possibilities in fighting COVID-19. In fact, some researchers are looking into whether cannabis-derived CBD might offer benefits for those suffering from severe forms of COVID-19.
So far researchers have suggested several different ways that CBD might help. CBD can reduce ACE2 expression and proinflammatory cytokine production, which helps to fight lung inflammation, and it has potential as an antiviral.
New evidence is adding support to the theory that cannabis-derived CBD may help those who are suffering from severe lung inflammation that occurs in more serious cases of COVID-19. Researchers in Georgia at Augusta University conducted a study that suggests that CBD may positively impact acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a dangerous system in COVID-19 caused by an overactive inflammatory response.
The researchers suggest CBD may be able to help by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, fighting off the storm. By reducing specific cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1b, and IL-17, we may be able to bring down the inflammation and thus end the respiratory distress and damage. And the results of these researchers' experiments supported this theory.
The study found that CBD could play an immunotherapeutic role in treating severe respiratory viral infections, such as COVID-19. The researchers explain that “current data support the notion that the anti-inflammatory function of CBD may reduce cytokine storm and mitigate the effects of exaggerated inflammation.”
This is an early study. So far, this theory has only been tested on mice. There is still more research to be done, including tests on actual human subjects. But so far, the study shows hope. They are moving in the right direction. CBD might eventually be harnessed to help fight against ARDS, as well as COVID-19.
The information for this article was found from a Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyearlenbaugh/2020/07/15/cbd-for-coronavirus-new-study-adds-evidence-for-cannabis-as-covid-19-treatment/#2b3ad3b382d6